Methods and systems for tube inspection and liquid level detection

Abstract

Container identification data from a container inspection unit that analyzes a container containing a liquid is combined with liquid level detection raw data from a liquid level detection unit that analyzes the container containing the liquid and a liquid level detection result is generated. The liquid level detection result is cross-checked with additional data from the container inspection unit. The result can be used to plan a route for the container in the laboratory automation system.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A method comprising:
 receiving, by a processor, container identification data from a container inspection unit that analyzes a container containing a liquid; 
 determining, by a liquid level detection unit, liquid level detection raw data including a height of a liquid content layer within the container by rotating the container about a z-axis of the container as the container is held by a robotic arm, and obtaining multiple angular readings of the liquid around the container; 
 receiving, by the processor, the liquid level detection raw data from the liquid level detection unit that analyzes the container containing the liquid; 
 determining a liquid level detection result for the liquid in the container, based at least on the container identification data and the liquid level detection raw data; 
 receiving, by the processor, additional data from the container inspection unit; 
 cross-checking, by the processor, the liquid level detection result with the additional data received from the container inspection unit; and 
 determining if the liquid level detection result is erroneous as a result of the cross-checking. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1  further comprising:
 generating, by the processor, a combined result of the container inspection unit and the liquid level detection unit after cross-checking the liquid level detection result. 
 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 2  wherein the combined result includes volume information, content confirmation, liquid layers, a gel position, a spun state, a serum/cruor ratio and error states. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1  wherein the container is a tube comprising a cap, and the container inspection unit is a tube inspection unit. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1  wherein the liquid level detection unit executes one or more of a serum/urine detection algorithm, a gel detection algorithm, a cruor detection algorithm and a whole blood detection algorithm. 
     
     
       6. The method  claim 1  wherein the liquid level detection unit comprises a device that measures the height of the liquid content layer in the container by transmitting radiation through the container. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1  wherein the container inspection unit comprises a camera. 
     
     
       8. The method of  claim 1  the liquid level detection result includes a liquid level and a sample volume. 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 1  wherein the container identification data comprises one or more of an inner diameter, an outer diameter, a height, a height without cap, a color pattern side, a color pattern top, a top rubber (inner) diameter, a decapping profile, a liquid level height offset, a “calculate no volume” flag, a cap material type, a “tube has thread” flag, a “cap pierce through” flag, a “contains gel” flag, a bottom shape, an expected gel height, a sample type, a false bottom (inlay), a conicity/tapering flag, a translucent flag, or a draw volume of the container. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the liquid contains serum and gel, and wherein an interface between the serum and the gel is at an angle relative to a vertical axis of the container. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the multiple angular readings of the liquid around the container are obtained using multiple pairs of light sources and light detectors. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 1  wherein the robotic arm has at least three prongs which grip the container. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 1  wherein the container is vertical as it is rotated. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 1  wherein the multiple angular readings is ten angular readings. 
     
     
       15. A computer comprising:
 a processor; and 
 a computer readable medium coupled to the processor, the computer readable medium comprising code, executable by the processor, to implement a method comprising: 
 receiving container identification data from a container inspection unit that analyzes a container containing a liquid; 
 determining, by a liquid level detection unit, liquid level detection raw data including a height of a liquid content layer within the container by rotating the container about a z-axis of the container as the container is held by a robotic arm, and obtaining multiple angular readings of the liquid around the container; 
 receiving the liquid level detection raw data from the liquid level detection unit that analyzes the container containing the liquid; 
 determining a liquid level detection result for the liquid in the container, based at least on the container identification data and the liquid level detection raw data; 
 receiving, by the processor, additional data from the container inspection unit; 
 cross-checking, by the processor, the liquid level detection result with the additional data received from the container inspection unit; and 
 determining if the liquid level detection result is erroneous as a result of the cross-checking. 
 
     
     
       16. The computer of  claim 15  wherein the method further comprises:
 generating a combined result of the container inspection unit and the liquid level detection unit after cross-checking the liquid level detection result. 
 
     
     
       17. The computer of  claim 15  wherein the liquid level detection unit executes one or more of a serum/urine detection algorithm, a gel detection algorithm, a cruor detection algorithm and a whole blood detection algorithm. 
     
     
       18. A system comprising:
 the computer of  claim 15 ; 
 the container inspection unit coupled to the computer; and 
 the liquid level detection unit coupled to the computer. 
 
     
     
       19. The system of  claim 18  wherein the method further comprises
 generating a combined result of the container inspection unit and the liquid level detection unit after cross-checking the liquid level detection result. 
 
     
     
       20. The system of  claim 19  wherein the method further comprises:
 distributing the combined result to one or more additional units coupled to the computer. 
 
     
     
       21. The system of  claim 20  wherein the additional units include a centrifuge unit, a decapper unit, a recapper unit, an aliquotter unit, an analyzer unit and an output unit. 
     
     
       22. The system of  claim 19  wherein the combined result includes a volume, content confirmation, layers of the liquid, a gel position, a spun state, a serum/cruor ratio, a container identifier, a cap identifier, a cap color identifier and error states.